The British Record Industry Awards 1982

Four and a bit years took place between the first ceremony in 1977 and its follow-up. Apparently perturbed by the domination of television at the previous ceremony, the “record industry” decided to reclaim its own awards. So there were no live performances, and there was no TV broadcast this year… and therefore no videos.

Now though, let’s transport ourselves back to London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on 4th February 1982, where David Jacobs is our host for the evening.

Best British Album

Nominees:

• Adam and the Ants – Kings of the Wild Frontier
• The Human League – Dare
• Queen – Queen’s Greatest Hits

Winner: Adam and the Ants.

Best British Female

Nominees:

• Randy Crawford
• Sheena Easton
• Toyah Wilcox

Winner: Randy Crawford.

Best British Group

Nominees:

• Adam and the Ants
• Madness
• The Police

Winner: The Police.

Best British Male

Nominees:

• Elvis Costello
• Cliff Richard
• Shakin’ Stevens

Winner: Cliff Richard.

Best British Newcomer

In a quite astonishing line-up of nominations, Depeche Mode were pitted against The Human League and Soft Cell, as well as some other people you’ve probably never heard of:

• Depeche Mode
• The Human League
• Linx
• Soft Cell
• Toyah Wilcox

Winner: The Human League.

Best British Producer

Nominees:

• Stuart Colman
• Chris Neil
• Martin Rushent

Winner: Martin Rushent.

Best British Single

Nominees:

• Adam and the Ants – Prince Charming
• Adam and the Ants – Stand and Deliver
• Soft Cell – Tainted Love

Winner: Soft Cell.

Best Classical Recording

Nominees:

• James Levine – Tosca – Puccini – Scotto
• Simon Rattle – Symphony No. 10 – Mahler
• Vernon Handley – Pomp and Circumstance

Winner: Simon Rattle.

Outstanding Contribution

Unlike the 1977 award, which was shared between two winners, this time there were three prospective nominees for the Outstanding Contribution award. They were:

• John Lennon
• The Police
• Cliff Richard

Winner: John Lennon.

Performances

Unknown

Further Reading / Viewing

• 1982 on brits.co.uk
• 1982 on brits.co.uk (archived version)